Don't Get It....Don't Spread It!

Last week I introduced  another acupuncturist to the Pain Clinic at Stroger County Hospital.  He was impressed with both the overwhelming size of the facility in general, and the suite of 4 treatment rooms staffed by our NUHS interns on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  As we met after the tour, and I searched for a governing message to convey, one that might be different than the fundamental concerns which guide us at our Teaching Clinic, on campus.  In these instances it is always good to do a reality check, and look closely at who we serve, and how well we serve them. Two thoughts came to mind: 1) the section in the Stroger Orientation Manual that covers in detail the risks, and prevention protocols to contain cross contamination; and 2) the absolutely frightening book I read last year, The Rising Plague, after I was exposed to,  and treated my  first patient with confirmed mersa.  (I actually had a pregnant acupuncture intern who called me in on the case  initially refuse to assist, which to me was both a breach of her duties, and a lack of understanding about what we are routinely exposed to in our work).

Here's what I said..  More than a thorough, accurate intake, more than a proper and logical Differential Diagnosis, based on proper tongue and pulse diagnosis, and the 4 Examinations, more than an appropriate treatment strategy, including the selection of correct points and their accurate placement, more than proper bedside manner and good rapport with our Western Medicine Colleagues,  more than all these things, if any of our staff has either become infected with mersa, HIV, hepatitis, staph or strep, or any other transmittable disease, or passed it on to another, we have failed our mission. For truly care of self leads to care of others, and abuse of self leads to abuse of others.